A recent law review article explores the quality of defense representation in capital cases in Tennessee. Authors William Redick, Jr., Bradley Maclean, and M. Shane Truett conducted an in depth study of Tennessee death penalty cases in their article, “Pretend Justice—Defense Representation in Tennessee Death Penalty Cases” in the University of Memphis Law Review. The article argues that Tennessee fails to provide effective defense representation in death penalty cases, citing ineffective attorney qualification standards, inadequate compensation and resources for indigent capital defense representation, and inequalities between defense to prosecution resources. It also examines various inherent difficulties defense attorneys face in death penalty cases, such as the “death qualification” of jurors.

(W. Redick, B. MacLean, M. Truett, ”Pretend Justice—Defense Representation in Tennessee Death Penalty Cases,” 38 University of Memphis Law Review 303 ( 2008)). See Law Reviews and Representation.

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